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Former top California Assembly staff member announces big lobbying contracts

A former top aide to Assembly leadership announced a list of blue-chip advocacy clients on Monday, becoming the latest ex-staff member to walk the well-worn path between the California Legislature and its lobbying corps.

Before launching his new lobbying and consulting shop, Greg Campbell served as chief of staff to Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and her predecessor John A. Pérez, D-Los Angeles. He played an important role in carrying out the will of both speakers and helping to manage the sometimes-fractious Democratic caucus.

He is now registered as a lobbyist. Campbell’s outfit, Campbell Strategy & Advocacy, will represent a formidable list of interest group clients that includes Comcast, San Diego Gas & Electric, the California State Council of Laborers and Cox.

The Speaker’s office shapes elections by deploying money and resources to key Assembly races. Campbell said he would draw on his role there as a “key campaign strategist” to work on ballot initiatives and campaigns.

The California State Council of Laborers, Comcast and San Diego Gas & Electric’s parent company Sempra spent about $2.7 million on lobbying last year between them. Those three, along with Cox Communications, also poured millions into ballot initiative fights and legislative races during the last campaign cycle.